"Usually, when customers complain about weaker showers after installing a softener, it's because their system wasn't sized correctly or there's another underlying issue like sediment buildup in pipes or fixtures."
Exactly this. I've seen plenty of cases where folks blame the softener, but it's actually sediment or scale buildup causing the pressure drop. A quick check of aerators and showerheads often reveals the real culprit. Also, totally agree on matte black fixtures—quality matters big time. Cheaper coatings chip easily, so spending a bit more upfront saves headaches later...
I've run into similar issues myself after installing a softener, and yep, sediment was the sneaky culprit. One thing that helped me was doing a simple flush of the water heater tank and checking the aerators on faucets—it's surprising how much gunk can hide out there. If you're not sure how to tackle it, it's pretty straightforward:
- Turn off your water heater and shut off the cold water supply valve.
- Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of your heater, leading it outside or to a floor drain.
- Open up a hot water faucet somewhere in your house (helps with draining).
- Open the drain valve and let it flush until the water runs clear—usually takes around 15-20 mins.
As for fixtures, I've found matte black looks awesome but can be tricky if you buy cheap. I went mid-range with mine about two years ago, and they're still holding up great. Definitely worth spending a little extra upfront to avoid peeling or chipping later on.
"Definitely worth spending a little extra upfront to avoid peeling or chipping later on."
Couldn't agree more with this. Learned that lesson the hard way myself when I went for some super cheap fixtures online because they looked great in the photos. Yeah... let's just say reality didn't match expectations. Within a few months, the finish started flaking off, and it drove me nuts every time I washed my hands. Ended up replacing them anyway, so it cost me double in the end.
Your step-by-step on flushing the water heater is spot-on too. Sediment buildup is sneaky and can cause all sorts of weird issues you wouldn't even think about. A buddy of mine had a similar problem—his hot water pressure was terrible, and he was convinced it was something major. Turned out, after flushing his tank, it was just sediment clogging things up. He felt pretty silly afterward, but hey, we've all been there.
Also, good call on checking faucet aerators. It's crazy how much gunk can hide in those tiny screens. I once found what looked like half a beach's worth of sand in mine after installing a softener. No wonder the water flow was pathetic.
As for fixture finishes, matte black does look awesome (when done right), but I've personally had really good luck with brushed nickel. It seems to hide fingerprints and water spots better than chrome or polished finishes, and it's held up nicely over the years without any special care. But yeah, whatever finish you go for, spending a bit more upfront usually saves headaches down the road.
Anyway, sounds like you're already on the right track with your approach—good luck with your fixture hunt!
Totally agree about brushed nickel—it's been my go-to for years. Another thing I'd add is to pay attention to the internal components too, not just the finish. I've seen some fixtures that look great on the outside but have cheap plastic valves inside that fail pretty quickly. Solid brass or ceramic cartridges usually hold up way better. Learned that one after swapping out a faucet twice in one year... never again.
"Solid brass or ceramic cartridges usually hold up way better."
Good point about brass and ceramic, but have you ever considered that sometimes plastic valves aren't always a bad thing? I mean, yeah, cheap plastic components can fail quickly, but I've seen some high-quality polymer valves that actually resist corrosion better than metal ones, especially if your water is particularly hard or acidic. Wondering if anyone else has noticed that too...?
Also, curious if you've found brushed nickel to hold up well against fingerprints and water spots? I've had mixed experiences—some brands seem great, others not so much. Makes me wonder if it's more about the brand's finishing process rather than the material itself.
